Pottery workshops at the Mediterranean, Southern France

 

 

Cote-d'Azur-coast, France

Cote-d’Azur coast, France

 

 

Saint Raphael Cote dAzur

Saint Raphael, Cote dAzur

 

 

Azure allure in Saint Raphael

Numerous artists such as Ceczanne, Monet, Matisse, Corbusier, Capron, Renoir, Massier and Picasso, to name a few, were attracted to the Cote D’Azur for its radiant light, enriching hues and captivating vistas. Ceramicist Lauren Kearns, on a recent visit, was so impressed by the vibrancy of Saint Raphael, nestled between the Massif L’Esterel Mountains and the Mediterranean, that she decided to establish a studio there for herself and visiting resident artists. She discovered that the rugged ochre outcrops, red cliffs, numerous inlets and coves,  juxtaposed against the emerald and azure waters, had an irresistable presence that was very invigorating.

IaRex l’Atelier/IARE studio, St Raphael

Lauren has created a spacious, fully equipped studio environment in a quiet location, bathed in natural light and in close proximity to local markets, cafes and eateries. An invitation has been extended from Lauren to all artists from professional to casual to join her program and interact with other resident artists and participate in some of the workshops while also imbibing the rich culteral heritage and embracing the beautiful, idyllic enviroment.

Saint Raphael is easily accesible to the Nice Airport, directly by bus. By car along the coast it is 1h to Nice, 1hr to Antibes, 40 minutes to Cannes, 1h2 to St. Tropez with many charming villages in between. The train station is in the center of the town, with a train direct to and from Paris. The outdoors is easily accessible, by car and bicycle, as are main European cities by train.

 

 

Saint Raphael studio

Saint Raphael IARE studio

 

 

International Artists Residency Exchange – I.A.R.E

Saint Raphael, France

 

 

 

Lauren Kearns

 

Lauren acts as a surpervisor, instructor, mentor, co-ordinator and artist for the International Artists Residency Exchange in Saint Raphael, bringing 37 years of experience as a ceramic artist.

‘My primary interest in creating is to make objects which are used in daily life, that bring us beauty and joy. I feel that creating objects from hand, in ways that have existed throughout time, is vital and necessary. I hope my work reminds people of the art of the hand made. In the use of objects and appreciation of art, one’s life is enriched, as it serves as a reminder of history and the connections we have to the arts.’

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain cup

Lauren Kearns porcelain bowl

 

 

Lauren Kearns ceramic teapot with incised decoration

Lauren Kearns ceramic teapot

 

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain dish

Lauren Kearns porcelain fruit design dish

 

Lauren-Kearns in studio in France

 

 

Lauren Kearns in studio

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain biomorphiic bowls

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain tea cup

 Porcelain tea cup – Lauren Kearns

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain lidded vessel

Lauren Kearns porcelain lidded vessel

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain plate

Lauren Kearns porcelain plate

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain platter lacquer pattern tiger

Lauren Kearns porcelain tiger pattern platter

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain tea cup

Lauren Kearns porcelain tea cup

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain botanical platter

Lauren Kearns porcelain platter

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain bowl

Lauren Kearns porcelain bowl

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain teapot with botanical decoration

Lauren Kearns porcelain teapot with botanical decoration

 

 

Lauren Kearns porcelain platter

Lauren Kearns porcelain platter

 

 

 

 

Natasha Dikareva

 

Natasha recently conducted a “Dreams in Clay” and “Elements” workshops at IARE, St. Raphael

 

Natasha Dikareva ceramic artist

Natasha Dikareva

 

 

adele-ceramic-sculpture-Natasha-Dikareva

‘Adele’ ceramic sculpture — Natasha Dikareva

 

 

Beyond Solitude-Natasha Dikareva---32inches height

‘Beyond Solitude’ – Natasha Dikareva

32inches height

 

Aqualady--Natasha Dikareva figure sculpture

‘Aqualady’ — Natasha Dikareva

 

 

Fishwife’s Birthday Teapot; sculpture by Natasha Dikareva.

 

 

 

Girl with a lion ceramic figure sculpture-Natasha Dikareva

‘Girl with a lion’  sculpture – Natasha Dikareva

 

 

 

Natasha Dikareva--Unspoken Sorrows

Natasha Dikareva–‘Unspoken Sorrows’

 

 

Natasha Dikareva teapot and cups

Natasha Dikareva teapot and cups

 

 

I’ll Take You to See the Future=Natasha-Dikareva

‘I’ll Take You to See the Future’ — Natasha Dikareva

 

 

Mnemosyne--Natasha Dikareva

‘Mnemosyne’ — Natasha Dikareva

 

 

Natasha Dikareva--Evolution of Shell Dweller

Natasha Dikareva– ‘Evolution of Shell Dweller’

 

 

Muse of Ancient Wanders--24inches-height

‘Muse of Ancient Wanders’ – Natasha Dikareva

24 inches height

 

Madame Butterfly--Natasha Dikareva

‘Madame Butterfly’ — Natasha Dikareva

 

 

 

Queen Bee--Natasha Dikareva

‘Queen Bee’ sculpture bust –Natasha Dikareva

 

 

Natasha-Dikareva---Gallery sculptures

Natasha Dikareva

 

 

Bisque fired sculptresNatasha-Dikareva

Bisque fired sculptres  —  Natasha Dikareva

IARE Studio, St. Raphael

 

 

Natasha Dikareva--Time To Dream

Natasha Dikareva — ‘Time To Dream’

 

 

Natasha Dikareva Lolita

Natasha Dikareva —  ‘Lolita’

 

 

‘Quan Yin’  —  Natasha Dikareva

 

 

Shell dweller participant

Natasha Dikareva  ‘Shell dweller’ participant

 

 

 

 

Current and future workshops

 

 

Andrew Martin

14th October – 25th October 2019

This workshop will focus on designing and slip casting complex forms with “simple” molds. Our goal is to explore new or latent ideas. Participants should come with a clear goal and willing to take risks. This two-week workshop will be an intuitive and practical exploration of how to work with patterns and molds, beyond the repetition of forms. The emphasis will be on using paper cut-outs to develop forms for molds and casting, and two-dimensional pattern-making for constructing three-dimensional forms.

 

 

Andrew Martin-Kimino teapot

Andrew Martin – ‘Kimino’ teapot

 

 

 

Andrew Martin cera,ics

Andrew Martin

 

 

Andrew Martin---Lidded Jar

Andrew Martin — Lidded Jar

 

 

 

 

Lorna Meaden

April 9-18, 2020

 

In this one-week workshop in Saint Raphael, France, participants will refine and expand their vocabulary of functional form. We will begin with making simple pots for daily use such as cups and bowls. We will move on to stretch our ideas about function, including more complex forms such as pitchers, ewers, scoops, spoons, and serving dishes. While focusing on form, we will explore surface decoration. Investigations of surface will incorporate texture, and line. Our pots will be altered, stamped, and drawn on. We will not miss the chance to absorb the cultural opportunities offered by southern France! All skill levels welcome. Bring your ideas and sense of adventure.

 

LornaMeaden_bottle

Lorna Meaden ceramic bottle

 

Lorna Meaden Mug

Lorna Meaden Mug

 

 

Lorna Meaden teapot

 

 

Lorna Meaden -- Salt and Pepper shakers

Lorna Meaden — ‘Salt and Pepper shakers’

 

 

 

Carol Guthro

May 11 – 22, 2020

 

In this 10 day week workshop Carol Gouthro will demonstrate her signature Segment Mold Process. Learning Carol’s innovative mold making technique will allow you to incorporate pleated, undulating and expressive forms into your ceramic vessels and sculptures, like those we marvel at in Carol's masterworks. We will also work with wooden drop molds. Carol will demonstrate how to combine, cut and re-assemble shapes to arrive at many differing expressions of form.

We will follow Carol’s rich, multi-layered approach to surface from wet clay, bone dry to bisque. Techniques for creating depth and texture will be explored, including the use of textured skins to wrap forms and clay sprig molds to embellish. Focus on color and pattern will be given through numerous demonstrations using slips, underglazes, stains, wax, shellac and paper patterns. Carol will share the many processes that she has developed in over 30 years of working with clay.

 

 

Carol Guthro botanical sculpture

Carol Guthro botanical sculpture

 

 

Carol Guthro — Ripe #3

12″ x 24″ x 12″

 

 

Carol Guthro — ‘Effleurescence gouthroii’

 

Carol Guthro-sculptures

Carol Guthro

 

 

Carol Guthro ceramic art

Carol Guthro – “Aurlia gouthroii Undulate”

 

 

 

anthozoa_gouthroii_viridis teapot -- Carol Guthro

‘Anthozoa gouthroii viridis’ teapot — Carol Guthro

 

 

Carol Gouthro_Ripe 4

Ripe #4 

 

 

 

Cullowhee Arts Artists Workshops, Retreats and Art Trips

14 Sep 2020 – 23 Sep 2020

Join Cullowhee Arts and Master Potter, Pat Taylor, for this exciting opportunity to travel in Southern France, study master works of the early modern to mid 20th century and take your inspirations into ceramic studio at laRex l’Atelier, Saint-Raphaël, France. The 12 days include 8 days in the studio and 4 Art-inspired Day Trips.

 

 

Museo Chaggal

 

 

Deb Schwartzkopf

15th October – 26th October 2020

Led by Seattle-based studio potter, instructor, and inspiring artist Deb Schwartzkopf, this exploratory workshop is for everyone working in clay with an interest in tableware. Come and discover the many ways functional forms can be pieced together from thrown and hand-built parts.

Let’s explore tableware. Come design and create your own place setting! This hands-on workshop is a guided, creative time. We will start with a Plate, Bowl and Cup… And then move into vases, pitchers, and platters! Identify and investigate the relationships within and between different forms. How does the plate meet the table? How is the
meal framed? Is the handle comfortable? What gesture are you capturing in your pitcher? There are so many elements to consider in the creative processes of designing and making.

 

 

Deb-Schwartzkopf--pottery

Deb-Schwartzkopf teapot

 

 

Deb Schwartzkopf--ceramics

Deb Schwartzkopf

 

 

Deb Schwartzkopf green teapot

 

 

Deb Schwartzkopf pitcher

 

 

Doug Peltzman

19th April – 26th April 2021

This is a workshop fit for beginner to experienced makers. We will focus in on designing, making, and finishing high fire porcelain tableware in an electric kiln. The relationship between form and surface decoration will be explored through practice, demonstration and discussion. Doug will share his methodologies on carving and inlaying slip into leather hard clay and bisque fired clay. As a group, we will spend time collecting imagery and textures to apply to the surface of our work. We will discuss the meaning and intention behind the pots we make and look to “play” as a way to explore new ideas. Doug will also share his strategies for glazing and making pots to hold runny translucent glazes. This class will provide an array of tools and techniques for using texture, line, and color in your work. Taking your ideas and concepts to the next level can be tricky, together we can share our experiences and help push each other to develop our work beyond our expectations.

 

Doug-Peltzman bowls

Doug Peltzman bowls

 

Doug_Pelzman wheel throwing

Doug Peltzman

 

Doug Peltzman mugs

Doug Peltzman mugs

 

 

Doug Peltzman ceramic teapot

Doug Peltzman ceramic teapot

 

 

 

Jan Edwards Workshop

Handbuilding Pots for your Table : for All Levels of Experience

30 Apr 2021 – 12 May 2021

Don’t you wish you had a good Fish Platter, or a tall Vase, or perhaps a set of Sushi Plates? You name it… we’ll try to make it. We will spend our time exploring a multitude of ways to make pots for the table…bowls, cups, plates, pitchers, platters, butter dishes, whatever we want to make, without the use of a potter’s wheel.

We’ll use Terra Cotta Clay and colorful slips and stains to embellish our pots… the traditional Mediterranean materials. There’s a cornucopia of decorative techniques to be explored. Your aesthetic will dictate the look, be it classic or crazy, wild or sublime. After our pots are fired in both bisque and glaze firings, they are beautiful and safe to use for food and drink.

 

 

Jan Edwards -Oval stripped platter in yellow

Jan Edwards platter

 

 

Jan Edwards ceramic bowl

Jan Edwards bowl

 

 

 

Sue Tirrell Workshop

Indelible: Pottery as a vehicle for personal storytelling and expression

14 May 2021 – 23 May 2021

Explore the connection between form, narrative and surface design by drawing, painting and carving on leather-hard clay. Bring a sketchbook of your favorite source material and be ready to incorporate new sensory and cultural influences to create a library of imagery unique to your time in beautiful Southern France! Participants will be guided in the process of distilling these ideas into dynamic, colorful surface design; giving individual stories universal appeal.

This workshop is appropriate for makers of all levels. Participants should be comfortable constructing simple vessel forms or tile—hand-built and/or wheel-thrown—to be decorated in the leather-hard state using sgraffito, mishima, trailing and painting techniques. The pace of the workshop will allow for everyone to explore their own studio practice as well as area attractions such as museums, hiking, beaches and food! Take home a narrative keepsake that can’t be purchased in a tourist shop!

 

Sue -- Tirrell Allegory of Wildfire Triptych_2019

Sue Tirrell — ‘Allegory of Wildfire Triptych’

2019

 

 

 

More details and pricing here for all workshops

 

 

The Côte d’Azur is also home to so many museums and cultural attractions:

Nice: Marc Chagall National Museum — Biot: Fernand Léger National Museum
Vence: Matisse’s Chapel of the Rosary — Cagnes sur Mer: Renoir Museum
Vallauris: The Picasso National Museum — Cannet: Bonnard Museum
 Nice: The MAMAC — Saint Paul de Vence: Fondation Maeght     
 

 

Miquel Barcelo – ‘LAlycastre’ 2018

Fondation Carmignac

 

 

Provence Alpes Cote d`Azur

 

 

Cote d’azur coastline

 

 

Vineyard-Provence knight sculpture

Provence Vineyard knight sculpture

 

 

Saint-Raphael travel poster

 

Vintage French Riviera poster

 

 

Statue of the Archangel Raphael in the park Jardin Bonaparte, Saint-Raphael, Var, Provence-Alpes-Cote d`Azur

Statue of the Archangel Raphael in the park Jardin Bonaparte, Saint-Raphael

 

 

CoteDZure-iil-deOr

Cape of Dramont, Île-d’Or

Côte d’Azur, France

 

 

Esterel---mountains, Southern France

Esterel mountains

 

 

 

10 Comments

  1. Posted October 21, 2019 at 2:55 am | Permalink

    Visually provocative . I would like to make this happen.

  2. judy pote
    Posted October 21, 2019 at 3:45 am | Permalink

    I am interested – how much? are there accommodations for housing? I am a hand builder….thank you

  3. Posted October 21, 2019 at 3:49 am | Permalink

    Wonderful article about the IARE Studio and vibrant artist residency Lauren Kearns has established in San Raphael. Lauren is the best, I can’t wait to visit!

  4. Lan
    Posted April 30, 2022 at 10:22 pm | Permalink

    Hi – do you offer internships or apprenticeships?

  5. Linda castleman
    Posted July 17, 2022 at 12:23 pm | Permalink

    hello, I am interested in your program would like more details , including housing accommodation, and cost . also dates of work shops for 2022 and 23, I will be in France in June of 23, will look forward to hearing from you. thank you, Linda

  6. Michelle
    Posted September 5, 2022 at 9:14 pm | Permalink

    Hi there!

    I just wanted to find out your nearest location to st tropez? And if you are mobile ?

    Kind regards,
    Michelle Wessels

  7. Posted September 5, 2022 at 10:31 pm | Permalink

    Hi Michelle, the studio and I are located in Saint-Raphaël, 30 minutes without traffic from st. Tropez. I can come/go, anywhere to teach!

  8. Posted September 5, 2022 at 10:33 pm | Permalink

    Hi Michelle, I am located in Saint-Raphaël. Yes, i am mobile to teach any where, but the teaching studio is in Saint-Raphaël.

  9. Anonymous
    Posted January 30, 2023 at 3:27 am | Permalink

    Hi I am living here in Oslo Norway. I am interested in your program would like more details , including housing accommodation, and cost . also dates of work shops for 2023 will look forward to hearing from you.
    Kind regards
    Annaki Eliassen

  10. Annaki Eliassen
    Posted January 30, 2023 at 3:32 am | Permalink

    Hi I live here in Oslo Norway and would like to learn ceramics and pottery. I have never done it. But I am very creative and have been painting on canvas for years. I am interested in your program and would like more details if possible? , including housing accommodation, and cost for workshop, also dates of work shops for year 2023.
    Look forward to hearing from you.
    Thank you kindly.

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